Lakes senior Will Steen learns to manage Crohn’s disease — and how to win: ‘He gets out there and gives it all he can.’

Lakes senior Will Steen can remember when stomach pains and lack of energy hampered him on the mat.

Lakes coach Devin Tortorice has even more alarming memories.

“There have been times when I literally have had to pick Will up off the mat after a match because he was so sick and spent,” Tortorice said.

Steen fell in love with wrestling in high school after figuring out he wasn’t going to be a basketball star. But excelling wasn’t easy given his medical problems.

Progress was made after Steen’s junior season, when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.

“It took awhile, but things got better when I changed my diet and I knew what I needed to do to stay healthy,” he said. “I will never be 100%, but I feel a lot more comfortable on the mat now.”

Steen’s diet change also helped him become stronger. He moved up to the 145-pound weight class this season after competing at 138 as a junior.

“I don’t have to worry about cutting weight — just staying at a weight that is good for my health and strength,” he said.

The new and improved Steen (16-7) is an honorable mention in the state rankings at 145. He won his weight class at Antioch’s invitational and placed sixth at another tournament.

“It’s nice to win medals during the season, but I’m more concerned with being at my best in February when the state playoffs get going,” he said.

Steen began his journey toward February with summer workouts to improve his skills and stamina.

“I’m so proud of Will,” Tortorice said. “He’s really worked hard to become a good wrestler despite all of his obstacles. There are some days when I’m sure he doesn’t feel good, but he gets out there and gives it all he can.”

Tortorice, a former Wauconda standout who wrestled at Wisconsin-Whitewater, has helped Steen make numerous improvements to his technique.

“I’ve had to make sure my cardio is up, but I’m also working on different things like leg riding, my top game and attacking while standing up — anything that can give me an edge in my matches,” Steen said.

Tortorice has seen a more confident Steen this season. He also has watched Steen increase his skill level with every practice.

“Will had some success last season, but he has improved so much this season since he’s bought into what he needs to do to get to the next level,” Tortorice said.

Steen, who intends to major in polymer engineering at Southern Mississippi, hopes the next level will include strong performances in the Class 2A regional and sectional and possibly a trip to the state meet.

“That’s the dream of every high school wrestler, of course, but I just want to try to finish my senior season as strong as I can,” Steen said.

“I thought about wrestling in college, but I don’t know if I want to go through the physical demands of any sport at that level. So that’s why I know the next few weeks are so important to me. I want to finish up my wrestling career on a high.”

Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.